52 LEGISLATION FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS. 



THE LACEY ACT. 



The Lacey bill was first introduced in the House by Hon. John F. 

 Lacey, of Iowa, on July 1, 1897.^ Its object was to aid in the propa- 

 gation and introduction of new or valuable birds, and the work was to 

 be placed in charge of the United States Commission of Fish and Fish- 

 eries. The Commission was to be given authority to propagate, dis- 

 tribute, transport, or introduce game and other wild birds, and to 

 collect and publish useful information in regard to them. In this form 

 the bill passed the House on December 10, 1898," but in the Senate it 

 was amended b}' the addition of the Hoar bill, which had already been 

 acted upon. On January 6, 1899, the combined Lacey-Hoar bill was 

 passed and sent to conference,^ but was not reported before adjourn- 

 ment. 



At the opening of the Fifty-sixth Congress the Lacey bill Avas reintro- 

 duced in the House, but it had been changed so that the work was placed 

 under the Department of Agriculture instead of under the Fish Commis- 

 sion, and interstate traflic in gained in violation of Stjitc laws Avas restricted 

 b}' a section very similar to that in the Teller bill. Again the bill was 

 .modified, Avas reintroduced on Jajuiary 17, 1900, referred to the Com- 

 mittee on Interstate and Foreign Connnerce, and favora))ly reported 

 with an amendment l)y the connnittee on March 1. It was passed l)y 

 the House by a vote of 141 to 27 on April 30/ and was supported by 

 Representatives from thirty-four States. On the following day it was 

 referred to the Si'nate Committee on Interstat(> Conunene, favorably 

 reported on May 17, pjussed 1)V tlic Senate without amendment on May 

 18,"^ and approved May t>5, 1900.' 



This act is the }>rojulestand most coinprehensive measure of its kind 

 ever considered by Congress. It is intended to supplement existing 

 State hiAvs, and in regulating interstate connnerce in game it will 

 doubtless mark tlie beginning of a ncAV «'ra in bird protection. It 

 contains tliree main j)r<)visi<)ns: (1) It i)laces the })reservation of birds 

 mider the jurisdiction of tin* Di'partmentof Agriculture; (2) authorizes 

 the Secretary of Agriculture to regulate the importation of f()reign 

 birds and animals, and to prohibit the intnwluction of the mongoose, 

 'Hying foxes/ English sparrow, starling, oi- other sjx'cies which may bo 

 injurious; and, (M) proliil)its interstate trallic in birds killed in violation 



'a)ng. Record, XXX, pt. 2, p. 2195; Forest and Stream, XLIX, p. 21, July 10, 



1H97. 



Mhid., XXXII, i.t. 1, p. :^1S; Forest aii.l Strcimi, TJ, p. rx)!). |),.,-,-inlK'r LM, ISMS. 



Ml)id., p. 439. 



*Tliis i.« tln' corrocteil a'cU', whicli wa« pivi-n on A])ril 'M as 142 to 2(5. (See CVmg. 

 lienml, XXXIII, pp. 5228, 5:507, April 30 and ISIay 1, 1900.) 



^Il)i<l., XXX, p. H151, May IS, 1900. 



«Ibid., XXX, J). 0588, May 26, 1900. 



